Album
Type:
Full-length
Date
Released:
2015
Label:
Self
Released
The
Vanishing - Track Listing:
1.Transmission
2.The Vanishing
3.This Cursed Sand
4.Colour Out Of
Space
5.Permanent
Residence
6.Blood Eagle
7.City In The Sea
8.Tomb Of The Ocean
9.See Me Scream
10.The Matchstick
11.Waxwing
Members:
Chris
Daniele-guitar, vocals
Hans Dalhaus-drums,
vocals
Ben Reigle-guitar,
vocals
Eric Racicot - bass,
vocals
Bio:
Based out of Western
Massachusetts, Oxen is a 4 piece rock band that uses heavy riffs and
pummeling rhythm to create a foundation for vocals that range from
soaring melodies to gruff intensity.
This summer marks
the release of Oxen's debut Lp "The Vanishing", an 11 song
record that showcases the band's strong points of a wide dynamic
approach and varied influences.
Review:
OXEN
are a band that I've been keeping an eye on over the last few months
or so. So when the band released a stunning video for their new
single - Transmission - from their forthcoming debut album - The
Vanishing - I knew I had to ask for a copy to review. OXEN duly
provided me a copy to review which I'm extremely grateful for the
band. So let’s get down to business. What can you expect with - The
Vanishing. You get 46 minutes of fast-paced Sludge/Stoner Metal that
will appeal to fans of Mastodon and Baroness.
Opening
track - Transmission - is a trippy psychedelic slab of Sludge/Stoner
Rock vibes that packs a mean punch. Starting with heavy guitars and
intense drumming before the fantastic vocals arrive and then
everything explodes into a colossal wall of sound. OXEN create riffs
that bring back joyful head-banging memories of Mastodon/Baroness in
their prime. OXEN create a stunning progressive rock backdrop to
build their sound upon.
Second
track - The Vanishing - starts with fuzz laiden Sludge/Stoner Rock
riffs with the vocals venturing from 70s Classic Hard Rock to more
modern times with OXEN flexing their musical muscles for some
stunning dual guitar worship towards the end of the song. Third track
- This Cursed Sand - sees OXEN in a more progressive mood with the
tone turning slightly darker and more primal. The riffs may sound
familiar but OXEN create an atmosphere where you feel you're
discovering your fave band for the very first time.
OXEN
pack a lot of emotion and intelligent ideas within their music. Most
of the songs last for around 3 to 4 mins or so apart from the last 3
songs which run for about 5 to 6 mins in length, though more about
the last 3 songs later. Fourth track - Colour Out Of Space - is more
of a psychedelic space rock number with the sludge/stoner rock vibe
adding a more experimental feel. It's one of the albums standout
tracks.
The
album has the perfect balance of clean vocals against the harsher
grizzled growls which makes for some exciting moments in the vocals
department. When you have all 4 members providing lead vocals it can
be very confusing on who does which song. You will have no trouble
here as all the vocals all have a natural fit. OXEN have even managed
to convince a couple of their famous friends to provide vocal duties
- Jeanne Sagan from All That Remains provides vocals to another great
track - Permanent Residence. A gloomy spacy stoner offering where
haunting vocals combine with the fast paced Stoner/Sludge riffs that
will leave you in a trance.
When
tracks such as Blood Eable, City In The Sea and Tomb Of The Ocean have
finished impressing the heck out of you, OXEN venture into more epic
progressive territory as the final 3 songs - See Me Scream, The
Matchstick and Waxwing last for 19 mins or so. This part of the album
is perhaps the most exciting part of the album as OXEN throw caution
to the wind and unleash a barrage of unstoppable Sludge/Stoner Metal
riffs where the guitars and vocals combine as a powerful whirlwind
where nothing can stop them.
Killswitch
Engage guitarist - Joel Stroezel - makes an appearance on The
Matchstick. It's an exciting and almost violent offering that shows
another side to OXEN's music that will leave you wondering what's
going to come next. The album sounds incredible from start to finish
which isn't surprising until you see the talent behind the album. The
Vanishing was mastered by Chris Common who played drums for These
Arms Are Snakes and who has mixed/mastered albums for Helms Alee,
Minus The Bear, Pelican and Chelsea Wolfe. The album was mixed by
Aaron Harris. Yeah, Aaron Harris of ISIS and Palms fame.
So
kudos to OXEN for getting top-notch talent involved with the
production of the album for their debut release. The Vanishing
demands your full attention as it's one of the years most exciting
and thrilling debut albums you're likely to come across. OXEN are
looking for labels to release this album. Hopefully someone will
release this album as this album needs to be heard by as many people
as possible. OXEN have the talent, drive and vision to go a very long
way indeed.
Words
by Steve Howe
Thanks
to OXEN for the promo. The Vanishing will be released within the next
few months. Though the band are looking for label representation if
any labels are interested.
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